Forest Whitaker

Oprah tells people to read, watch or buy something, and they do it. Which is why we were thrilled when her OWN network launched its OWN Documentary Club.

We're the first to admit we watch a lot of TV, and admittedly, it's not always what we'd classify as "high quality." We could use some education and truthful storytelling in our TV schedules, and with the big O's stamp of approval, this program hand-picks worthy documentaries to watch.

Their third selection is 'Serving Life' (premieres Thurs., July 28, 9PM ET on OWN), the first OWN original documentary, and we've got an exclusive video preview featuring Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker, who's also the doc's producer and narrator.

In 2007, Forest Whitaker played Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 'The Last King of Scotland.' It was an important film for Whitaker -- he won an Oscar for his performance. While he was filming, he got a firsthand look at the child soldiers fighting Uganda's civil war. Whitaker got involved in their cause through friend on 'Last King' who ran an orphanage for child soldiers. He spoke about his experience Thursday on 'The Early Show' (weekdays, 7AM on CBS).

"I knew about the historical issues around the war with the LRA and stuff, the Lord's Resistance Army," Whitaker said. "But this was the first time that I had real deep contact where I spent real time with the children soldiers and raised money for them and helped them to build their dormitories and their schools."

Whitaker was recently named a goodwill ambassador by UNESCO for his work with child soldiers in Uganda and has made a documentary on the subject called "A Place of Peace."

Memorial Day is a holiday to honor the men and women of our armed forces, and those who sacrifice so much for our country and our freedoms. At 'The National Memorial Day Concert' (Sun., 8PM ET on PBS), Forest Whitaker helped to bring home how personal each of those veteran's stories are, by relating one to us.

I like Forest Whitaker, a lot. And I like Janeane Garofalo, a lot. And I admit I like 'Criminal Minds', CBS's highly watched FBI procedural, a lot too (well, sometimes).

But, based on this mindless premiere episode, I don't like 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,' the new spin-off starring Oscar-winner Whitaker and great comedian/solid actress Garofalo. Well, not so much.

If you like what 'Criminal Minds' does, then 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior' should be right up your alley.

In this spin-off of the popular CBS procedural, Forest Whitaker plays Sam Cooper, the leader of an "elite team" of agents who use "unconventional methods" to track down America's worst criminals, according to CBS's press site. The "elite team" part sounds right; it almost goes without saying that this team is the best and the toughest and could be described with many other words that end in "-est."

But really, "unconventional" methods? I beg to differ. Doesn't every CBS procedural revolve around an uncompromising team leader who schools lesser cops and cuts through stupid bureaucracy until he gets what he needs and Delivers Justice? As a cop show, 'Suspect Behavior' is about as conventional as they come.

If you thought the cast of 'Platoon' perfectly captured that haggard and frayed wartime soldier look and attitude perfectly, there's a reason for that. One that made for a great movie, but appears to have been more challenging for the cast, as Forest Whitaker described it on 'Late Show with David Letterman' (Weeknights, 11:35PM on CBS).

As he explained it, "I think [director Oliver Stone] wanted us to feel in some ways what it was like to be in war."

That included having them dig a hole for sleeping during filming, and really living in the jungle. Stone even perpetrated what Whitaker described as "a simulation" experience.

CBS has released the first look at its next surefire hit, 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.' As expected it's pretty creepy, with lots of inspirational dialogue and tons of action.

Forest Whitaker and Janeane Garofalo headline a pretty and grizzled cast of FBI agents who profile the worst kind of criminals.

The first episode follows the team as they try to crack a child abduction case. Check out the trailer below. It's chock full of what you've come to love about 'Criminal Minds' plus smart aleck Janeane Garofalo.

Soon, every single show on CBS will be a spinoff from another show on the network. 'CSI,' 'CSI: Miami,' 'CSI: NY,' CSI: [Insert City Here],' 'NCIS,' 'NCIS: L.A.,' 'NCIS: CBS L.A.' Maybe there'll even a future spinoff of 'The Mentalist' where we follow another law enforcement consultant who used to scam people with a fake psychic act and now sleeps on a mattress on the floor and drinks a lot of tea.

But before that we have the spinoff of 'Criminal Minds' coming up. The April 7 episode of the show will serve as a pilot for a spinoff series that would star Forest Whitaker as FBI profiler Sam Cooper who forms his own team of independent investigators after being away for several years. I'm sure that mystery will serve as a big back story for the new show. TV Fanatic has a bunch of pics from the episode, which will also feature Michael Kelly, Beau Garrett, and Matt Ryan.

Television fans, look out: Oscar-winning actors are taking over! And not just for a special cameo or a three-episode guest star stint, either. Movie stars are coming to TV in a big way ... as series regulars. Why? Well, for a few reasons. Portraying a character on a weekly basis can present a new challenge to these veteran silver screen stars, but let's not forget that young Hollywood actors in tween-targeted films are dominating the box office. These Oscar-winning actors aren't giving up films, but their star power and names alone are big enough to attract an audience to a TV show.

Anyone who watched the 2010 Annual Academy Awards might have noticed how svelte actor Forest Whitaker looked as one of the presenters of the Best Actress Award. Whitaker said today on 'The Rachael Ray Show' (weekdays, syndicated) that he has, in fact, recently changed his eating habits and lifestyle in an attempt to get healthy.

"I did meet with a nutritionist ... and he talked to me about the way I was eating. I shifted the way I was eating, the way I was living. I started working out," Whitaker said. "I just wanted to be able to live a really good life."

Casting for pilot season is halfway through and a welcome new trend seems to be emerging; the top-billed leads of four drama pilots are non-Caucasian, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

It doesn't hurt that these pilots are also among the highest profile projects on offer this season; 'Undercovers,' the 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith'-esque spy show from J.J. Abrams will feature Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Boris Kodjoe as its central couple (and a very attractive couple, at that), while Oscar winner Forest Whitaker will take the lead for CBS' 'Criminal Minds' spin-off.

Hunky Laz Alonso, last seen (kind of) as belligerent Na'vi warrior Tsu'tey in 'Avatar,' is set to front the Fox action-drama 'Breakout Kings,' which is directed and exec-produced by 'X-Men: Origins' helmer Gavin Hood. Freddy Rodriguez, last spotted on prime time as 'Ugly Betty' love-interest Gio, has been tapped to star in CBS' CIA drama 'Chaos,' from director and executive producer Brett Ratner.

Forest Whitaker ('The Last King of Scotland'; TV's 'The Shield') is reportedly in negotiations to star in the upcoming 'Criminal Minds'spinoff on CBS. The Oscar winner will play the "dynamic" and "mysterious" Cooper, an ex-profiler in the Behavioral Unit who returns to the scene after eight years. Whitaker -- who may also get a producing credit -- will make an appearance on 'Criminal Minds' this spring, in a move similar to the way 'NCIS' introduced its 'Los Angeles' spinoff last season. [Hollywood Reporter]

Can a TV show centered around the $46 billion herbal weight loss industry be interesting? We'll soon find out, because HBO has greenlit a pilot called Fat Sells.

The story will center on the head of a weight loss company, and how his life starts to unravel when the FDA begins investigating the company's claims.

Forest Whitaker is attached to exec produce (and possibly direct the pilot), along with Dave Broome, who served as exec producer on The Biggest Loser. Hmmm ... wonder if he has some insider info he'll bring to this project.

(S07E29) Well, this is what you've all been waiting for, right? What's that? Finale? Yeah, I guess that'll be cool, too. But if you've listened to Ryan all season then you know TONIGHT is really what it's all about! If you're looking to find out who got eliminated by vote last night you're going to have to wait until tomorrow. But if you're looking for two-and-a-half hours of entertainment chock full of celebrities and song and charity, then you're looking for "Idol Gives Back."

Last year's inaugural edition was very good, and Kristin's report of the Idol Gives Back taping from this past Sunday was also very positive. We don't have any pesky (non) eliminations to deal with like last year, so just kick back, donate and enjoy. And, if you want, join us online and chat about it in real-time with other giving Idol fans.

You can join the chat starting just before 7:30/6:30pm CDT by following this link. Look for the full episode review right here later tonight.